Episode 72: He’s Calling From Inside The Pouch!

Last week, we talked about how the future of the DC television shows, particularly the upcoming Legends of Tomorrow and Supergirl, and how they might fit into the continuity created in Arrow and The Flash on The CW. And we mentioned over and over again that it’s hard to figure out the direction of the upcoming shows based only on trailers and not even a complete episode.

Well, clearly someone trusted with access to intellectual property at CBS or Berlanti Productions was listening, because the complete, hi-def pilot to Supergirl leaked to the Internet on Friday afternoon. And while normally one needs a little technical knowledge to find pirated videos online, this one leaked in a way where anyone with a mind to can watch it (although I’d use that link quickly, as CBS’s lawyers will be back from the Memorial Day holiday weekend bright and early Tuesday morning).

So we talk about the pilot, including how it uses the Superman mythos as shorthand to build Supergirl’s back story quickly (in ways both good and bad), how it’s potentially laying the groundwork for some continuity from the comics, possibly introducing an entirely new version of Lex Luthor, and creating questionable relationships between Superman and the government. We also talk about how the pilot wears its “girl power” themes on its sleeve, and whether that’s something that’s desirable or sustainable in the long run.

We also discuss:

Planet Hulk #1, written by Sam Humphries and Greg Pak, with art by Marc Laming and Takeshi Miyazawa,

Ultimate End #1, written by Brian Michael Bendis with art by Mark Bagley, and:

We record this show live to tape with minimal editing. While this might mean a looser comics podcast than you are used to, it also means that anything can happen. Like learning the origin story of Trucker Klingon, a.k.a. Steroid Loki.

This show contains spoilers. Like, we spoil the entire pilot of Supergirl. Consider yourself warned.

This show contains adult, profane language, and is therefore not safe for work. You want your boss to learn the filthy double meaning behind Deadpool’s 80s-style costume logo? Of course not; nobody needs a visit to human resources on a short holiday week. Get yourself some headphones.

2 Responses to "Episode 72: He’s Calling From Inside The Pouch!"

pixiestyx

May 25

Here’s my problem with the “girl power” in this episode, and why Amanda’s right about “show vs. tell” (never mind that telling vs. showing is NEVER right). When they are all “Look, here’s your GIRL POWER” and tell instead of show, it comes across as patronizing rather than sincere. Perhaps because DC and Marvel have been guilty of this before, and I’ll get to that later. For me this also crosses into gender roles. The mother saying that now her little girl has female hero to look up to; why couldn’t the line be that now my “children” have a female hero to look up to (Amanda’s still right about them looking up to their mother FWIW). Should a little boy not also look up to female heroes? Yes, women want more stories that they can identify with, BUT that doesn’t mean that we are not also capable of enjoying stories built around males, it doesn’t mean we want female stories so girly that men can’t enjoy them as well. One does not preclude the other. So when your company is producing things like “My First Book of Girl Power” or default-pink “Girl Power” shirts that only showcase female characters, and still putting Batman books and shirts under “Boys” or “Men” section, you’re saying “Girls, here are girl stories/images for you!” *pats on head* “Boys, note that these are not for you as we’ve helpfully labeled them for girls”. Patronizing. Not actual progress or change.

I’m sure Amanda will chime in, but I wanted to get my two cents in, since I’m already in front of my computer.

Like I said during the show: I’m willing to accept that the producers amped the “Girl Power” message in the pilot to sell the show’s concept and target audience as quickly as possible. They need to show CBS there’s an audience, and to try to get that audience on board fast, and if that requires some quick and obvious shorthand, I’m okay with it. And sure: if they continue to hammer that broad and obvious line, they run a risk of alienating viewers outside that clearly-desired demographic.

But then again, maybe they don’t give a shit. If that’s the target demo, and they can convince them that saying it is the same as meaning it, well, the money that comes in spends the same either way. Same way that if you can convince someone that buying a pink t-shirt is the same as teaching their child how to be a strong woman: the good news is that nothing of substance has changed for you, AND you make some money selling pink t-shirts!

I am willing to accept a solid superhero action story that goes out of its way to scream “Girl Power!”, provided that screaming doesn’t detract from the story. If it does, then I’m not the audience, and I’ll tune out. If it doesn’t, then it certainly won’t get in the way of my enjoyment of watching a superhero kick Brainiac’s lower jaw clean off his body.

But your point is solid: a good story can convey empowerment without being strident or offputting to anyone. There isn’t a guy I know who’s put off by Aliens, and that movie’s got more maternal themes than a lamaze training video. And the only dudes I can think of who’d be alienated the feminist undertones of Mad Max: Fury Road are the ones who get their movie reviews from Fox News (hi, Dad!).